Foundations of Psychological Science
Define psychology.
The scientific study of behavior and mental processes.
What is a teratogen?
A harmful substance that can cause birth defects, such as alcohol or drugs.
What’s the most vivid stage of sleep?
REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep.
What is the difference between positive and negative reinforcement?
Positive reinforcement adds something pleasant to increase behavior, while negative reinforcement removes something unpleasant to increase behavior.
What is episodic memory?
Memory of specific events or experiences, like remembering your first day of school.
What is empirical evidence?
Data collected through observation and experimentation.
At what age do infants recognize themselves in a mirror?
Around 18 months.
What’s the difference between REM and NREM sleep?
REM sleep is where most dreaming occurs, and NREM (Non-Rapid Eye Movement) sleep is when the body and brain rest without dreaming.
What is vicarious classical conditioning?
Learning by observing the emotional reactions of others to a stimulus.
What is an encoding failure?
The failure to store information in memory due to lack of attention or rehearsal.
What are the five principles of critical thinking?
1. Ask questions 2. Define terms 3. Examine evidence 4. Analyze assumptions 5. Avoid emotional reasoning.
What are the three types of attachment according to Mary Ainsworth? (And define them).
Secure, anxious-ambivalent, and avoidant.
What is the effect of sleep deprivation on the brain?
It can lead to memory problems, mood swings, and even hallucinations.
What is operant extinction?
The gradual decrease in a behavior when it is no longer reinforced.
What is the difference between recall and recognition?
Recall is retrieving information without cues, while recognition involves identifying information from a list of choices.
Who set up the first psychology lab and when?
Wilhelm Wundt in 1879.
Describe the 8 stages of Erikson’s psychosocial development.
Trust vs. Mistrust,
Autonomy vs. Shame/Doubt,
Initiative vs. Guilt,
Industry vs. Inferiority,
Identity vs. Role Confusion,
Intimacy vs. Isolation,
Generativity vs. Stagnation,
Integrity vs. Despair.
How do stimulants affect the nervous system?
Stimulants increase activity in the nervous system, leading to heightened alertness and energy.
What is a conditioned emotional response?
Emotional responses are triggered by stimuli that were initially neutral, such as fear or joy.
How does memory transfer from short-term to long-term?
Through rehearsal and encoding, information moves from short-term to long-term memory.
What does random assignment mean?
The process of assigning participants to different groups in an experiment by chance.
What are the three parenting styles identified by Diana Baumrind?
Authoritative, authoritarian, and permissive.
What are the four stages of sleep?
NREM Stage 1, NREM Stage 2, NREM Stage 3, and REM sleep.
What are the seven tips for using punishment wisely?
1. Be consistent 2. Be immediate 3. Be appropriate 4. Avoid physical punishment 5. Make the punishment clear 6. Use non-violent methods 7. Avoid reinforcement of the wrong behavior.
What are flashbulb memories?
Highly detailed and vivid memories of significant events, often associated with strong emotions.